Now What? My thoughts on the election
So, we all made it through another election! I have not heard any news reports of mass rioting and looting across the nation, so all seems well for the time being. Seriously, though, I think everyone is fully aware of the gravity of yesterday’s election. These United States are stepping into a new era, an era that will (hopefully) enter the history books as a time of change for the betterment of its people.
A congratulations is in order for President-elect Obama. He ran a very good campaign, one that was well-planned and and implemented in a way that managed to have voters turn out in record numbers. He ran a relatively-clean campaign and managed to focus most of his advertisements on the positive aspects of his own campaign rather than the negative portions of the McCain-Palin ticket. That grace was certainly not reciprocated, and I tip my hat to Obama’s campaign manager for not stooping to his opponent’s level.
I am anxious to see what policies will be enacted during his administration. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be some large changes to the way our society operates, both good and bad. Mr. Obama has never shied away from voicing his pro-choice beliefs, so hopes that Roe v. Wade will be overturned can most likely be shelved until the election of 2016. On the other hand, I believe that the poor and underprivileged in this country have been marginalized and financially raped by greedy heads of large corporate entities, and I truly hope that a Democratic White House will do its best to keep these vultures at bay. Of course, there is no guarantee that this will happen, but it has a historically better chance than if a Republican president was elected.
Well then, regardless of your opinions about his policies of qualifications for the office, there can be no argument that Mr. Obama has claimed a hands-down victory for the White House. So, what does the Bible tell us, as Christians, about our responsibility to a figure of authority? How are we to support future President Obama? By praying for him (I Timothy 2:1-8), submitting (yep, it says that) to him (Titus 3:1-2, Romans 13:1-7), honoring him (I Peter 2:13-18), and by seeking righteousness for the entire nation (Proverbs 14:34).
Another overarching theme found in nearly all of the aforementioned verses is the command to us that we are to refrain from slanderous speech and arguing amongst one another. The call for bipartisanship has become such a political cliché, but the Bible commands just that. And so does common sense. The election is over and Barak Obama is going to be our new president in two months. Short of tragedy, nothing is going to change that. So it is in our best interest, as both Christians and citizens of the greatest nation of the world, to come together with those who voted differently than us and pray that Mr. Obama, his cabinet, and his advisors are sympathetic to the direction of our God. Submit to their authority unless it directly contradicts the commands of the Lord. And use the next eight years to show that Christianity is a religion of peace and love, not hate, bigotry, and ignorance.
God has placed in the position of power the man that He wants in power. Nothing happens in this universe that God did not directly cause to happen. We have no reason to fear the coming administration. We know that God’s plan is not always obvious to our finite and simple minds. But we can have faith. We can have faith to know that He is in control and that, whatever happens, it will all culminate in in Christ’s return to this earth to bring His faithful back to worship the Father for all of eternity. And that, my friends, is a pretty happy ending.
NaNoWriMo Day 3 Update
Alrighty kids, time for a quick update about National Novel Writing Month. I know you all have been waiting anxiously to hear how I am doing (OK, probably not), so here we go:
Honestly, I am a little bit behind. Not too much (less than a full day’s work), but some. Nothing that I can’t have completely made up by Saturday. Plus, I just had some time become available this weekend (you know who you are), so I should be in great shape by Sunday.
Thanks to everyone who has asked about the process and sent me encouraging emails and texts and whatnot. They really do help. 
I shall try my best to get a more serious post in sometime this week; I might even throw in a bonus post with a bit of a plot summary for the new book! Thank you all again for the encouragement!
“NaNoWriMo? Say What?” or “My Goal for November”
Well, I did it. Today, I joined NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and, consequently, set a goal for myself for November. I am going to write a novel this month.
“Slow down, now,” you say, “a novel in a month? It can’t be done!” Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s what I said, too. However, the more I sat and thought about it this morning, the more confident I became that I could actually be successful. So, here is the formal declaration of my goal for the month of November 2008: I, Eric Sherwood, am going to write a novel of (at least) 50,000 words before December 1.
Fifty-thousand words. Holy crap. To be honest, I am both ridiculously scared and excited at the same time. I hope that both of the emotions will drive me toward achieving my goal. Moreover, when I am completely honest with myself, more of the fears (listed below) are quite unjustified:
- 1) That is a big (and I mean BIG) commitment. 1,667 words written per day. 2,084 if I take a day off every week. This is really the only one that is justified. It is a big deal and it is going to be hard.
- 2) People might think I am an idiot. Let’s face it; becoming a (published) author is a lofty life-goal. Tons of people try it and, like, seven are actually successful enough to become household names.
- 3) It might suck. I cannot decide if this is one of the justified fears or an unjustified one. Of course, the first draft probably will suck to some degree, but I know that all of the good novels started out as a flawed first draft.
- 4) Insanity. OK, probably not…but there is a bit of a chance that I might actually lose my mind during the whole ordeal. *Shrug* If I walk up to you in November spouting gibberish, just shake me a bit and do your best to hold out until December when I should return to my semi-normal state of mere confusion. J
On the other hand, though, I really am excited about it. I have always wanted to write a novel and this seems like a perfect opportunity to do so. I know that I want to write professionally and this is just one of the ways that I am going to work towards making that dream a reality.
So, I am going to need your help. Send me an encouraging text message occasionally. Write on my Facebook wall, please. I know that I will be stressed out quite a bit this month (Thank God that Phillip is going to be doing most of the heavy lifting during our Sunday School hour on Sundays this month. Thanks Phillip!). Oh! And keep me accountable. Ask me how it’s going and hit me (gently, I’m kind of a wimp) if I do not boldly proclaim that I have already finished my word count for the day.
From what I can tell by reading the NaNoWriMo forums, Week 2 will bring the mental roadblocks and fatigue. There is a good chance that you might find me on my roof screaming curses at the Phoenicians. Or wheeling around an IV filled with Starbucks’ bold blend. Either ignore me or give me a hug, or try to do both with that awkward sideways hug that everyone hates. I will appreciate it either way.
*Deep Breath* I am going to do this. Look for random posts this coming month about the overall process. I will keep writing my posts of other flavors, but this will be my focus. Here we go…